Buffy the Bowgirl, Book 1, Thread 1, Do You Know the Way to Kvatch? Options

[Acadian]

Welcome to the adventures of Buffy the Bowgirl!

My name is Acadian. Buffy is an elven mystic archer that I have the pleasure to travel Tamriel with.

This is Book 1 of her journal. It begins with Buffy being briefly incarcerated in the Imperial Prison, and ends as she attempts to bring freedom to the city of Kvatch. It is a sprawling story that will require 176 episodes, spread over five threads. Appropriately, I have nicknamed Book 1, 'Do You Know the Way to Kvatch?'

Buffy's personal journey is more important than her destination. Our writing style is character-driven. I help Buffy write her journal because I have a truckload of passion for her, not because I am a writer. We take plenty of liberties with quests and NPCs, but only few liberties with game mechanics because there is an aspect of 'how to / mystic archer guide' woven into her stories. Therefore, we tend to eschew earthly things and stick rather closely to Nirnian physics. In Buffy's world for example, a skilled archer can 'zoom in' on her target and cause her enemies to 'turn green' with poison. Buffy has never been to medieval Europe or ancient Rome, and her world does not resemble those places.

I thank you so much, should you find our humble effort earns and maintains your readership. My hope is that Buffy will worm her way into your heart, as she has mine.

Edit: Buffy has completed this book as of August 2012, and I would like to think that the reading of it is a satisfying experience - both complete as well as suggestive of sequels. For those newer readers who would like to catch up to us in one short sitting, you might find this helpful: Buffy – The Executive Summary Thread.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Oct 28 2012, 12:33 PM

[Acadian]

In Chapter 3, selling items from her Imperial Prison escape and crafting potions could not quite finance Buffy's ship travel home to Bravil. Trading blood for gold, she emerged from an Arena fight with enough money for her passage home.

SubRosa- Thank you so much for the encouragement. I'm having fun working in minor tweaks that don't change the focus of her story. My challenge is to not increase chapter length. Buffy used to cover so much more ground per chapter in her early days! I'm afraid if I start allowing chapters to grow and multiply, we may never catch up. I look forward to the chapters ahead where she began to lavish more detail. You were squarely in mind as Buffy stopped herself short when thanking Mara. And of course, TF influenced our view of Simplicia.

Foxy- If the fight felt right, then you are to credit. She's broken two bows trying to block so far (as you suspected she would). Expect her to develop a spell to strengthen her bow for blocking. Thank you for reading!

Rider- I'm so glad you liked it! The scene with Simplicia, like Buffy's debate over the amulet, gave us a couple great opportunities to try and show some of Buffy's trademark internal debates and roundabout decision making that makes sense only to her.

Zalphon- Buffy the prostitute? Heh, I suspect she'll keep her day job and stick to selling potions and pelts when she needs gold.

Wolf- You know her well, my friend. Buffy is so very fortunate to have, in you, such a connoisseur of her life. Thank you!

* * *

4 Homecoming

The only passage I could afford was a tired old merchant vessel hauling goods to Leyawiin. I was told the captain had no plans to stop before his destination. The first mate took my gold and allowed me aboard - with an understanding. "We'll toss ye in the drink as we draw abeam Bravil. Ye knows how to swim now, doncha, Lass?"

The trip was slow and uneventful until we neared Bravil. Several of the crew were gathered on deck, speculating about a rocky outcropping that had appeared in the middle of Niben Bay. I could see the recently formed island, and what looked like some sort of glowing stone structure on it.

The first mate turned to me and exclaimed, "cursed rocks! They're poppin' up outta the river now. Had we passed here by night, we'd like as not be aground. Aye, 'tis a bad omen for sure." He shook his head then jerked his thumb to the west. "Bravil be as close as she'll get, Lass." He then added with a brown-toothed crooked grin, "mind the slaughterfish now."

Much to the amusement of the crew, I removed my clothes, wrapped them tightly in a piece of oilcloth from the ship and stuffed the bundle into my pack. I jumped into the Niben and swam for home.

Once ashore, I quickly dressed, then headed for the bridge leading to the Bravil city gate.

Captain Viera Lerus was talking to one of her guards, and barely noticed me as she pointed towards the bay. "Caccian, take the boat, row out to that island and relieve Gaius Prentus. He'll bring the boat back and your relief will be out in the morning."

I learned that the Count had ordered a guard be posted on the new island until they could determine its nature. Crossing the short bridge, I entered my town.

"Oh Buffy, we were so scared that we had lost you for good!" There were tears in Nilawen's brown eyes as she fiercely hugged me. I winced - those Arena wounds were not completely healed. "City Swimmer returned without you and refused to tell us anything about it."

I told the pretty, black-haired Bosmer that we had simply gotten separated and it took me a few days to make my way home. I decided to leave out the bits about dead merchants, Emperors and Arena combatants.

An uncomfortable look came across Nilawen's face. "Buffy, while you were gone, my late husband's cousin, Nordinor arrived and I have agreed to let him stay - in your old room upstairs. I hope you don't mind too much. The rent money he pays will really help make ends meet. You're eighteen now; Kud-Ei has agreed to take you on at her guild and provide quarters for you."

I was taken aback. Not because of Nordinor. The words that echoed in my head were: You're eighteen! Missing my own birthday? Unconscious on the floor of a prison cell - yep, not a birthday to remember I guess. "Nilawen, I could never be upset with you. You took me in when my mother died and treated me like your own family for these past six years. It is indeed time for me to join the guild."

There was so much catching up to do!

It was hard to be mad at City Swimmer, with her sad orange eyes. She felt so badly that she had abandoned me in the Imperial City. "You saved my life, Buffy, and I will give to you the only valuable thing I have. When the time is right, I will share with you the secret of the Gray Fox." I told City Swimmer I forgave her. I didn't quite know what to make of her offer, so I decided to let it pass, for now. She cried and hugged me. I surely hoped my wounds would heal before I received too many more hugs.

Not to be. This time it was me doing the hugging. "Daenlin, my friend, my teacher. You have no idea how many times your lessons have saved my life in the last week!" I told him of my adventures, of shooting, blocking with my bow, and how I had survived an Arena fight.

Daenlin made an exaggerated show of inspecting my empty back which normally sported a bow, then chuckled, "seems you've been pretty hard on weapons. We can't have an unarmed bowgirl. Here take these."

I gratefully accepted the bow, and strapped the empty quiver he offered to my back. "Thank you, Master."

The old Bosmer's face then turned serious. "Buffy, decades ago I knew an elf named Diana. Never had I seen an archer blessed with her degree of natural ability - until I brought you on as an apprentice ten years ago. Don't let this go to your head now; there are plenty of dead natural archers. Talent is wasted without passion and dedication to the craft of marksmanship. In you, my apprentice, I see all these things."

Daenlin was now carefully inspecting arrows, and loading them, one by one, over my shoulder into the quiver. "Archery however, requires other skills to be effectively and safely used. Since you refuse to learn to fight with a blade, you must learn magic to strengthen your bow so you can block without damaging it. You also need spells that can immobilize your foes so you can safely shoot them. I have been talking with Kud-Ei and Nilawen. We agree, it is time for you to join the guild of magic."

Kud-Ei and her mages welcomed me warmly, and helped me move my few possessions into the guild hall. They even threw a small, belated eighteenth birthday party for me after dinner in the dining room. I grabbed my Altmer friend. "Thank you, Ardaline for showing me how to make potions when I was younger. You have no idea how much that helped me when I was in the Imperial City."

Kud-Ei overheard and motioned for me to approach. "Buffy, I'll do anything for my girls, and right now Ardaline has a problem. How would you like to start the admissions process to the Arcane University and help Ardaline at the same time?"

I got excited and chirped, "University? Help Ardaline? Oh, yes! How can I do that?"

Kud Ei explained what I must do to recover Ardaline's missing staff and gain my first recommendation to the University. Then she taught me a spell that would make people more receptive when I tried to be charming. I knew about sweet talking, and hoped the spell could improve my results. She told me to start by talking to a local Dunmer who had been pestering Ardaline.

The next morning, thanks to my new charm spell, that Dunmer, Varen Vamori was ready to do anything for me. I discovered he was sweet on Ardaline. Although no expert in these matters, I suggested that stealing and selling Ardaline's staff to a dealer in the Imperial City had perhaps not been the wisest choice for winning her affection.

Fully healed, well equipped, and with a newfound confidence from my recent exploits, I decided to brave the trip on foot. I found I was beginning to like the idea of having Acadian with me. He patiently listened to me chatter about all kinds of things on our journey.

Well, there wasn't really too much to getting the staff back, just some more sweet talking and a little sneaking. Oh, and I got to pick a couple locks. I was terrible at that, and sure there must be a better way. Perhaps magic?

Upon my return, Kud-Ei was delighted that I had recovered Ardaline's staff and gave me a recommendation for the Arcane University.

I spent the next several days mostly at the guild, learning and practicing. I was starting to get better with magic. I could now control or confuse simple animals and detect nearby life signs. I really wanted to learn how to disappear. I practiced a lot in the guild basement, sometimes just casting spells over and over.

I didn't neglect my bow skills though. One day, while hunting along the river, I just stood and stared at that mysterious island out in the bay. Finally I said impishly, "Acadian, are you thinking what I am?"

*

"Buffy, where on Nirn did you get this?" Daenlin was incredulously examining the bow.

"Well," I replied with a giggle, "I sweet talked the guards into letting me ride out to that new island in the bay with them!"

"And. . .?" prompted Daenlin as he cocked his head and looked at me with arched eyebrows.

"There's a magic portal out there on the island. Gaius Prentus said if I was stupid enough to go in there, he wouldn't stop me. Well, you know me - in I went. First, there was a funny, bald man who asked me if I wanted to proceed further into what he called the Shivering Isles. I told him sure. He disappeared. Then the room - you're really not going to believe this Daenlin - it exploded into butterflies! I was on a hilltop in a land like nothing I've seen before."

I continued excitedly, "well, I decided to look around some before coming home. I found some plant samples that I simply must show to Ardaline. There were also some unusual creatures that looked like gray goblins. The mayor of the little town there - it's called Passwall - said they're called grummites." I stopped for a moment to catch my breath, then quickly went on, "I saw some old ruins and decided to explore around the outside of them. There were more of those grummites, but with bows. After killing one, I grabbed his weapon and came right home. So, what do you think?"

Daenlin's face clouded with concern as he shook his balding head. "Buffy, I know you're a fine archer, but I worry about your risk taking. You could have been killed charging into something unknown like that."

"Daenlin," I said, frowning defensively. "I want to travel and adventure. I'm old enough to - "

The old Bosmer held up his hand to silence me. "Yes, yes, I know how old you are. But you are still a young elf with only a tiny fraction of your potential lifespan behind you. You're not a human; you don't need to race through life like they do. I just worry about you, that's all."

"I know you do," I said gently. "I'll be careful, I promise. But really now, what do you think of this bow?"

Daenlin turned the weapon over in his hands several times. "Hmm, very light. Some sort of unusual wood. Incredibly balanced and strong though. Buffy, I have no idea. Let's try it out." Daenlin grabbed his Bow of Infliction, then we went out to the archery target by The Lonely Suitor Lodge.

Thunk. My old bow hit the target. "Now," Daenlin said, "take your grummite bow and try to do exactly the same thing. I'll keep track of which arrow came from which bow." I did as Daenlin instructed, then he handed me his Bow of Infliction and told me to repeat the process yet again.

We walked up to the target and Daenlin spent several moments carefully measuring how deeply each arrow had penetrated. He then removed and returned them to my quiver, took his Bow of Infliction from me and stated, "Buffy, I've never seen anything like this grummite bow of yours. It's much more lethal than your old iron trimmed one, yet weighs less. In fact it is very nearly as powerful as the Bow of Infliction at a quarter of the weight. You have quite a find there, my apprentice!"

As Daenlin went back into the Archer's Paradox, I practiced with the grummite bow, quickly gaining confidence that this exciting new find would serve me long and well. I had always wanted to travel. Perhaps, after learning some more magic, I might be ready to venture beyond Bravil and the Imperial City.